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This past weekend, the ADCC European Championships took place, one of the most prestigious events in Europe this year. With Winners of each division winning a place at next years ADCC World Championships, considered the Olympics of Submission grappling. With the competition taking place in Bucharest, Romania, there was a strong Eastern European presence with a dominant Polish and Russian turn out and also a lot of competitors from the Nordic region. Truly a European Championship as many countries were represented! Here at Fighters Market Europe we kept a close eye on the event live streamed on Flograppling and bring to you the results !

Under 65.9kg

1st - Zaur Akhmedov - TEAM ABUBAKAROVA (RU)

2nd - Timur Mukhametullin - Lion Academy - (RU)

3rd - Jukka Tuomas Kokken - Hilti Finland (FL)

A division dominated by the Russian grapplers, Zaur Akhmedov of Team Abubakarova, dominated his opponents shutting them all down and winning by points, having none scored against him, securing his ticket to the next ADCC World Championships!

Under 76.9kg

1st - Ross Nicholls - Roger Gracie Academy (GB)

2nd - Mateusz Gamrot - Gracie Barra (PL)

3rd - Mateusz Szczeciński - Roger Gracie (PL)

One of the deeper divisions, the u76.9kg showcased some of Europe’s finest talent, from current IBJJF European Nogi Champion Darragh O’conaill who placed 2nd at the last ADCC European trials, to athletes such as Great Britain’s Ross Nicholls who has been on a tear on the NoGi Scene, Oliver Lovell an IBJJF NoGi European champion at brown belt and Eoghan O’Flanagan another no gi specialist.

Ross would win the division in dominant fashion, submitting all his opponents apart from his semi final. He toughed out a semi final win by decision against Poland’s Mateusz Szczeciński who would go on to win the bronze medal match. An impressive performance from RGA’s Ross Nicholls, securing his first trip to the ADCC. Second place Matheusz Gamrot would have to beat some of the toughest talent in the division on his side of the bracket getting past the likes of Gracie Barra’s Oliver Lovell. One of the pre tournament favourites, Darragh O’conaill would dominate Eoghan in his second round match 11-0, but then lose his next match to Jan Starch by submission, just displaying the world class level present throughout the division.

Under 87.9kg

1st - Adam Wardzinski - Checkmat (PL)

2nd - Sean Coates - Gracie Barra Nottingham (GB)

3rd - Otto Kuikka - Helsingin Paini-Miehet (FL)

Another division with a lot of talent with athletes such as Checkmat black belt Philippe Pomaski, Progress Jiu Jitsu athlete Sean Coates, however with Checkmat's Adam Wardzinski in the division there was a clear favourite! Great Britain’s Sean Coates had an excellent run to the finals, winning 3 matches by submission and winning his semifinal via points. He would come up against an even more dominant Adam Wardzinski in the finals, who had won one match by submission but his other two in dominant fashion a 5-0 win and a 12-0 win. Sean, only a young brown belt, almost pulled off the upset against the much more experienced black belt, putting Wardzinski into deep heel hook, however Wardzinski showed his experience at the highest level, escaping and using his pressure passing game to take the back and submit Sean! An excellent competition from both athletes with Adam Wardzinski sure to be a favourite at the ADCC World Championships next year and Sean one to watch out for in the future !

Under 98.9kg

1st - Perttu Tepponen - TJJK Tampere (FL)

2nd - Muslim Patsarigov - Oxy (RU)

3rd - Andrzej Iwa - Złomiarz Team Poland (PL)

Finland’s Perttu Tepponen took the ticket in the u98.9kg division with a tough win over Russia’s Muslim Patsarigov in the finals. Both athletes were dominant in their route to the finals. With Muslim Patsarigov suffocating most of his opponents with his top heavy style, including UK standouts, Ben Dyson and Max Bickerton. Perttu, a double IBJJF world medalist at brown belt was able to keep Muslim at bay with his excellent Guard play and earn a tough decision win !

Over 98.9kg

1st - Eldar Rafigaev - Jungle BJJ (MO)

2nd - IOANNIS ARZOUMANIDIS - FC Spartakos

3rd - Heikki Jussila - Helsingin Paini-Miehet (FL)

Probably the performance of the day came from Eldar Rafigaev of Jungle BJJ, who submitted all four of his opponents on route to Gold. He did this to his finals opponent Ioannis, who was significantly fresher, due to pull outs and how the bracket was constructed he only had one prior match before facing Eldar. Eldar now adds ADCC European Gold to his IBJJF European NoGi Gold won this year. One of the most dangerous competitors of the day and one to watch at next years ADCC World Championships !

Female -60kg

1st - Maiju Suotama - Helsingin Paini-Miehet (FL)

2nd - Eva-My Persson - Nacka Dojo IF (SWE)

3rd - Bezan Mahmudi - Allstars Kampsportsförening (SWE)

A dominant performance from Maiju sees her winning the Gold medal and qualification to the ADCC Worlds, here we saw no points being scored on Maiju winning her matches 5-0, 2-0, and 2-0!

Female Over 60kg

1st - Yulia Vibe - Frontline Oslo HQ (RU)

2nd - Hannah Rauch - Gracie Southbay (DE)

3rd - Melinda Fabian - ZR Team (HU)

A disappointing 3 woman division here at the ADCC European Championships, with massive prizes on offer and such a prestigious competition. However quality Jiu Jitsu was still on display. With Yulia taking gold, winning her finals match 5-0 !